Brand New to watch collecting?
10 tips for the new collector.
Reply if you think I missed anything important please..
Starting a watch collection can be an exciting journey, but as a beginner, it's important to have some guidance. Here are ten valuable tips to help you kickstart your watch collecting adventure and make informed choices.
1. Research, Research, Research:
Before making any purchase, immerse yourself in the world of watches. Learn about different brands, movements, complications, and styles. This knowledge will empower you to make well-informed decisions and reduce buyers remorse.
2. Set a Budget:
Decide on a budget that aligns with your financial situation and stick to it. Watches can range from affordable to extremely expensive, so having a budget will help you narrow down your options and avoid adding to many too fast.
3. Buy the Seller:
When purchasing a watch, trustworthiness is key. Buy from reputable sellers, authorized dealers, or established online platforms known for their authenticity and customer satisfaction.
4. Focus on Quality:
Emphasize quality over quantity. Invest in watches from renowned brands known for their craftsmanship, reliability, and value retention. A well-made watch will provide enjoyment for years to come.
5. Explore Different Styles:
Don't limit yourself to one particular style. Experiment with various watch types like dress watches, sports watches, dive watches, or vintage pieces. This versatility will enrich your collection.
6. Consider Pre-Owned Watches:
Don't overlook the option of pre-owned watches. They can offer excellent value, a wider selection, and potential vintage gems. Research trusted pre-owned watch sellers and verify authenticity before purchase. (You may decide to hold off on buying preowned until you are more experienced with watches in general)
7. Build Relationships:
Connect with fellow collectors, join watch communities, and attend watch events. Engaging with experienced enthusiasts will expand your knowledge, provide insights, and create lasting connections.
(The fact your reading this on WC is a great start)
8. Take Care of Your Collection:
Learn how to properly care for and maintain your watches. Regular servicing, proper storage, and mindful usage will help preserve their value and ensure they continue to function flawlessly.
9. Document Your Collection:
Keep a record of your watches, including purchase dates, service history, and any additional information. This documentation adds value and helps you track the growth of your collection.
10. Collect with Passion:
Above all, enjoy the process! Collect watches that genuinely excite YOU, spark joy, and resonate with your personal style. A passionate collection is a reflection of your unique taste and journey as a collector.
Starting a watch collection is a thrilling endeavor. By following these ten tips, you'll be well-equipped to make informed decisions, grow your collection wisely, and enjoy the beauty and artistry of fine timepieces. Happy collecting!
I believe this covers the main bases to start off. If you are an experienced collector and can add more value please speak up with a reply and let have a discussion.
Cheers! 🥂
Sharing my journey and started talking watches on my YouTube.
That’s a lot of work you want me to do over here 😅
Ima let the people read your comment instead of revising the whole thing almost haha!
I appreciate you though!
Was there a good theme I missed over all?
Ohh I like that..
Thank you for your response!
Tip I give every new enthusiast is “Take your time.” Folks just getting into watches start seeing other people’s SOTCs and they get super excited… they buy a 12 slot watch box and then under a year it’s completely filled. This is not necessarily a bad thing but I think you can lose sight of the actual watches in the rush to fill the empty slots. This can be a life-long hobby - so take time to appreciate what you have, enjoy/savor the hunt for next one, and remember there will always be more watches. 🍻
I see a lot of people feel as though they need a certain category of watch: "I don't have a diver," or "I am still looking for the perfect flieger." Those categories are nice, but if your lifestyle does not support a diver or a dress watch there is no need to check a box just to check a box. My collection is dress watch heavy because I am incredibly well mannered and cultured.
When starting out try watches on before buying them don’t just go by internet pictures and youtube videos, you won’t know what works best for you untill you’ve tried a few watches on.
I see a lot of people feel as though they need a certain category of watch: "I don't have a diver," or "I am still looking for the perfect flieger." Those categories are nice, but if your lifestyle does not support a diver or a dress watch there is no need to check a box just to check a box. My collection is dress watch heavy because I am incredibly well mannered and cultured.
I like that
That’s some good old fashion input right there. Your a gentleman!
It is a very sharp point not to get to heavily influenced by the need to own all styles. Watches are like your cloths and should fit you personality and fashion. I personally wear a little bit of everything and so is my kid of life style so my watches collection has a little of everything but to be honest I am mostly Drawn to the diver. As I get older I see my self more on the dress watch category. Grand seiko will profit from this.
Guess I was a bit influenced by my own mission for my collections future transition to luxury. My watches are my motivation to do better financially in life (Family being the first and only really important factor of course) to afford play money in a grander scale.
Thank you for your input it gave perspective for future advise post. 💪🏾
Tip I give every new enthusiast is “Take your time.” Folks just getting into watches start seeing other people’s SOTCs and they get super excited… they buy a 12 slot watch box and then under a year it’s completely filled. This is not necessarily a bad thing but I think you can lose sight of the actual watches in the rush to fill the empty slots. This can be a life-long hobby - so take time to appreciate what you have, enjoy/savor the hunt for next one, and remember there will always be more watches. 🍻
Beautifully said.
I wish I read this comment from the beginning stages of collecting!
I definitely rushed a few pieces in that I could and should have held off on.
If your reading this and your new to watch collection take some time to soak up what Bevel is saying here.
You will thank him later!
🍻
Buy what you love, love what you've bought!
Learn to enjoy watches vicariously, you don't need to own everything you like (& often price is prohibitive anyway)
Less is more (a few high quality watches trump a bag full of sh*tters)
Never buy on finance
Be patient!!
When starting out try watches on before buying them don’t just go by internet pictures and youtube videos, you won’t know what works best for you untill you’ve tried a few watches on.
Preach!
You forgot #11, search for sales/clearance items. You can sometimes find a watch you are interested in looking at sales. Depending on where you shop, discounts of 50%-80% discounts can be found. I just found a nice Bulova diver yesterday doing so; $395 list for $79 after all discounts taken.
For me its "buy what you will wear". I have perfectly fine watches that I've bought that just aren't anything I'd dress with and they are the proverbial "safe-queen".
So recently, I've turned my eye towards watches that I just can't wait to wear, show off and talk about. Some of my low enthusiasm safe-queens are gonna be dropped off at Goodwill. Wasted money. "It's pretty" just isn't good enough.
Now I want watches like famous explorers wore, or even some made famous by an icon. For example, what did Elvis wear? A Ventura I think. I want my watches to actually mean something to me beyond its fashion statement. Anyone can shop at Kohls, but they won't have a Pobeda 34-k.
This hobby is expensive in relative terms. Be prepared for that.
You are going to kick yourself on individual pieces here and there, not only on pieces you acquire but also those you let get away.
Straps are your friends. A strap change can change your whole outlook on a piece.
Don’t let others dictate what to buy and not buy. Hype watches generally are less impressive in person and many times devilishly hard to find during their day in the sun. If you like a Hublot, can afford it, then buy it. It’s your collection!
Time is in your side in this hobby.
Enjoy the journey.
The first rule of fight club:
Don’t buy too many watches too fast
The second rule of Watch club:
Don’t buy too many watches too fast
Your list is great.
My first recommendation to "new" collectors is to not be scared of regret :) just try and find your thing, listen to other people but always make your own decisions and you'll do just fine. There will be a point where you'll regret getting or not getting a watch but it's all part of the journey.
My most important tip would be: Buy what you want, buy a timepiece that when you look at your wrist you feel really happy about it.
I see a lot of people feel as though they need a certain category of watch: "I don't have a diver," or "I am still looking for the perfect flieger." Those categories are nice, but if your lifestyle does not support a diver or a dress watch there is no need to check a box just to check a box. My collection is dress watch heavy because I am incredibly well mannered and cultured.
🙌 I prefer dress watches too! But do have a diver and few watches with bracelets as well. 🥂
My personal view is that buy what you want. Not what others think will be a good addition. Watch collecting journey is pretty much personal and do not "buy" with investment in mind as most watches are not investment grades.
Have fun and collect what you truly enjoy and what speaks to you.
Hard!? For someone with poor impulse control like me it's been impossible. LOL Nothing wrong though with feeling excited about stuff.
Fare enough.
Not at all.
That’s where a large part of the joy and rush and excitement is experienced.
The Truth! 👊🏼💯
🤜🏾💥🤛🏾
I think someone mentioned this above, but it's really important for 99.9% of the population that doesn't have money to burn, so I'll repeat it. That and my belief is that words matter and it shows intentionality.
Don't "collect" watches as a starting point. Collecting implies attaining the collection is the goal. Instead, the journey is way more important than the end point. As people have said, love what you buy otherwise, you'll just bleed bits of money and sit on illiquid, mostly depreciating assets.
Absolutely 💯
There is so much to enjoy way before even thinking about spending money on a timepiece.
Joining communities
Reading books
Watching videos
Google research
Visiting AD to see what fits best on your personal wrist.
Find a museum on watches
Go to meet ups
If you attended a watch meet up with no watch right
Stay with me
And people started asking what’s on your wrist and you are like
“nothing yet I’m gathering some information by doing things like this talking to pros to make a more unformed discussion instead of rushing it.”
I think I would take a knee to that person.
Yeah maybe I made too broad stroke an assumption that it applies to most collectors. It definitely happened to me though.
And that’s why we need to share experiences cuz we are going to connect or share insite to another paradigm. But it is funny how I also am being pulled in that direction I just also know other watch collectors personally that will never go luxury because they simply don’t believe that a watch is valued at such a high price tag. And I can respect that too.
My most important tip would be: Buy what you want, buy a timepiece that when you look at your wrist you feel really happy about it.
Nothing beats a watch that when you look at on your wrist out a grin on your face!
Why so serious?!
🤡😏
🙌 I prefer dress watches too! But do have a diver and few watches with bracelets as well. 🥂
And that’s 💯 fine brother. Every collection should be different. You may connect on dress watches but also have a few that help you get away and take a break from them so you have time to miss them. Lmao it’s like being In a relationship
My personal view is that buy what you want. Not what others think will be a good addition. Watch collecting journey is pretty much personal and do not "buy" with investment in mind as most watches are not investment grades.
Have fun and collect what you truly enjoy and what speaks to you.
Your cooking on high heat with this advise here brother
Cheers 🍻
Do follow the rules above, but definitely don't follow rule #1! You'll be a happier man for it 😁 But I guess if you're already on watch crunch you're doomed. Welcome to the dark side. But seriously, nice write up
Are dealers called dealers by chance?? 🤣
I went through the thread quickly, so I may have missed it if @Aurelian or @Porthole mentioned as a new collector to be very wary of purchasing vintage watches.
You need to do your homework first to avoid being scammed.
Both Greg and Chris have written extensively on the subject, and exploring their posts is mandatory reading if you want to pursue the vintage watch segment of collecting.
Enjoy the watch you have as much as possible.
We tend to look for some watches and forget about the ones we already have.
That's a very good 10 tips list there!
Enjoy the watch you have as much as possible.
We tend to look for some watches and forget about the ones we already have.
That's a very good 10 tips list there!
Your on the money 💰
I recently am going through this with my collection after a few years of collecting I decided to stop buying and spend time with the watches I have. Maybe straps and a few mod parts along the way but I have to appreciate where I am before I can truly know where I’m going with my collection.
Buy what you love, love what you've bought!
Learn to enjoy watches vicariously, you don't need to own everything you like (& often price is prohibitive anyway)
Less is more (a few high quality watches trump a bag full of sh*tters)
Never buy on finance
Be patient!!
Mic 🎤 drop